Heartbroken after the death of his eccentric lover, Jenks is left to care for Mutt’s beloved pets on a lovely but isolated estate. With only the animals for company and rejected years earlier by his family when he left school to be with his lover, Jenks worries he’s fading from the world—until one misty morning when he discovers a half-drowned man on the bank of the river. And not just any man, … man, but one who may have been the victim of an attempted murder.
James Griffin is respectable and married…and has buried his true passion his entire life. Jenks’s gentle manner and keen mind stir in him the sort of longing he wishes he had for his wife. The same frustrated wife he now wonders may have plotted his demise. His memories clouded, Griffin knows he must discover his attacker’s identity, resolve matters in his unhappy marriage…and confront the desire he feels for the shy but tenacious Jenks.
Together, they return to London to learn the truth of Griffin’s near murder. The police believe the incident nothing more than an accident, leaving Griffin and Jenks to find their way through a tangle of conflicting desires and ambitions to hunt the truth on their own.
more
This is my review of the audiobook:
I really enjoyed this historical romance. Jenks and Griffin were both good men in difficult situations, and I loved watching them grow closer and begin to make each other happy. The mystery of who attacked Griffin was interesting, and the glimpses of Jenks’ former lover Mutt were great. There were sad moments, but overall the story was positive and hopeful. The narrator did a wonderful job of making this book even better. I loved it!
Enjoyable mix of mystery, danger, drama, and love as two men negotiate the trials of desire during a time when such feelings were not encouraged between men. I loved Jenks’ care and concern for James and how he moved out of his comfort zone to try to help him solve the mystery of his near death (murder?). The complications surrounding James’ wife and his desire to do right by her were touching as well. Mutt remained a mysterious figure, but in the end, Jenks came to understand more about his motivations as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 1st book I’ve read written by Summer Devon; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
An amazing story to read. James has a wife but does not love her. James is found in the water by Jenks. James does not know how he got there. While they try to figure out what happened to him, Jenks and James grow closer. In a time when the relationship of two men is considered wrong they have to figure out what they want out of life. Will the love that is growing between them win? Or will James stay with his wife? Can they solve the mystery of his near death?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sometimes you don’t know what you want until you don’t have it. Jenks, 22, lost his lover, Mutt, and lives on the estate now owned by his brother Roland Muttingsly, despondent, depressed surviving without love. Mutt left his estate to his absentee brother Roland and his money to his pets. The house’s decor cannot be changed for 20 years. Jenks’ family gave him a choice and shunned him after he chose Mutt. Jenks gets a pension as long as he cares for the animals. Jenks finds James, a Londoner unconscious on the bank. Once revived, James has no idea how he got where he was, how he got a head injury. He is in a loveless marriage with his wife, longing for something he doesn’t think he can have. This is an intriguing tale peppered with mystery and identity crisis. Will James decide on what he wants? Can Jenks accept another lover. Will Roland overcome his brother’s legacy? This was a story that put a face on life in 1800s London. Good story. Nicely done. I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
This is intriguing, dramatic, suspenseful and entertaining. Jenks is kind, caring, charming and vulnerable. James is determined, chivalrous and unsure. One day while Jenks is boating he finds James on the shore, nearly drowned. He takes him home, gives him dry clothes then contacts James’ wife. Jenks is aware of James in a way he’s never been before. James wakes up later not knowing how he got there. Jenks is immediately convinced that someone tried to kill James, James isn’t convinced. They get the police involved, but because Jenks is known as a sodomite, they think that James is making up the story to explain why he was found where he was. So they decide to do some detecting on their own. James is confused not only by what happened, but by the feelings that he feels whenever Jenks is around. So there’s a killer on the loose, James is trying to come to terms with what he is and James’ wife is begging for a more physical relationship with him. These unique characters weave a thrilling story of lies, betrayal and truths. It’s a fascinating story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Society has for long periods of time been very restrictive and not allowed people to want what they want. This is a well written and somewhat sad story of Jenks and James trying to find their places in a world that is not set up to let them. They met in the water, somewhat fitting when you think about the symbolism. Still Griffin is married to a woman whose presence in his life does not move him. But it is a sanctioned relationship and he has decide if he will stay in it or pursue what he wants in a society where the consequences can be real. Because of the times this is as much a mystery with some intrigue as a love story and it is a nice reminder to take perspective about how far things have come, though we all know they still have a distance to travel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Be as honest as you can. Hurt as few people as possible but don’t be afraid of life.”
After The Storm is a well written and plotted , whodunit , slow burn , historical MM romance.
~“Don’t expect me to allow you to give me ten strikes on the backside.” Griffin swallowed a startled laugh. Sir Richard’s eyes narrowed to such slits… “Pray do not be uncouth.” Jenks pressed his lips tight and stared out the window again. Griffin said, “Recalling schoolboy days hardly seems vulgar, Sir Richard. Are you giving his words some sort of weight or interpretation they don’t deserve?”~
Is about Jenks , a 23 year old man. Sad and a bit lost, after the death of his older lover, lives a lonely life where his only friends are a dog, a parrot, the beneficiaries of his lover fortune .
And Griffin a married man , ex barrister and aspiring music composers and talented pianist; who does not remember how he ended up miles away from London in a marshland , half drowned as he possibly swallowed half the river and gotten a good smash in his head.
~“Because you are like me.” Griffin opened and closed his mouth . But the head shake didn’t seem to be denial. Jenks went on. “You dream of other men.” He whispered the words very quietly. He might be an idiot, but no need to advertise that fact to everyone else in the house. Griffin’s mouth went very thin. “There is devotion and friendship, damnation . Physical attraction is not the basis of love,” he muttered. With those words, Mr. James Griffin had admitted the truth of his lust, or close enough. Jenks wanted to jump to his feet and strut and make a dance out of the moment. At least he might demand that Griffin play something on the piano, a thundering march of celebration. No, in fact, he wanted to drag Griffin out of the apartment into a dark street and show him physical attraction.~
Summer Devon has written an utterly charming, entertaining , original and witty story of self discovery, friendship and love.
~“Here they are!” Wells said happily. “Have you been interviewed? It’s a fascinating process. They stand about and ask you the same questions over and over.~
I love this author writing style , it is fluid and original. Her narrative feels organic and natural. This book was pleasure to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written historical romance between Jenks and James who live in the times of hiding in fear of being jailed or worse for their love. It’s a heratbreaking story with the two men both dealing with their own lives , coming together by accident and finding love with each other.The author brings mystery and drama,throws in a few twists and a surprise revealing. The story moves quickly and smoothly and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
6/20/19 I’m updating this review to add my comments about the audiobook.
Performance – 5
Story – 4
Overall – 5
This has happened to me in the past. I’ve read a book and really liked it but then get to listen to the audiobook and LOVE it. Mark James performance of After the Storm absolutely increased my enjoyment of a really good story by Summer Devon. His voice is so pleasing to listen to and he gets all of the inflections and pacing just right. I hope he plans on recording many more books.
Below is the original review I posted when I read the book a couple of months ago.
***
I love historical MM romance stories!
I have many books by Summer Devon in my digital library and have listened to several as audiobooks. After the Storm is the first one I’ve actually read (as opposed to listening to) and I liked it a lot.
Historical MM stories always break my heart a little because of how the MCs (main characters) have to hide themselves. Yes, I know that contemporary MM characters sometime also feel the need to hide but it usually isn’t for fear of being arrested and possibly killed.
Jenks was left to care for his dead lover’s animals and doesn’t have much of a life. He finds James nearly drowned in the river one morning and everything changes.
James is married to a lovely woman but there is no passion between them and both of them are unhappy. After he is saved by Jenks he realizes why he’s not happy with his wife.
There is a great mystery in this love story: who knocked James out and left him in the river to die? The story takes many twists and when the culprit is revealed I was totally surprised. I liked how the problem regarding James unhappy marriage was resolved.
This was a really great novella; if it comes out as an audiobook I will be ready and eager to experience the story all over again.
An advanced copy of this book was generously provided to me by the author but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.